Melissa Williams-Brown Under Criminal Investigation by South Australia Police

Melissa Williams-Brown posed as employers conducting background checks in order to illegally obtain educational records and private information from the National Student Clearinghouse. Officials say Williams-Brown used forged consent forms and posed as an employer conducting background checks to illegally obtain protected educational records and other personal data from the National Student Clearinghouse, a government agency affiliated with the United States Department of Education (DOE).

Melissa Williams-Brown, a 52 year old former CyberCX Employee is the subject of a cybercrime investigation led by the SAPOL Southern District Criminal Investigation Branch

Melissa Williams-Brown posed as employers conducting background checks in order to illegally obtain educational records and private information from the National Student Clearinghouse.

Officials say Williams-Brown used forged consent forms and posed as an employer conducting background checks to illegally obtain protected educational records and other personal data from the National Student Clearinghouse, a government agency affiliated with the United States Department of Education (DOE).

With criminal activity spanning years and some victims overseas, the investigation is of an international scope with assistance from law enforcement agencies in several other jurisdictions.

The National Student Clearinghouse stated Melissa Williams-Brown, a 52 year old former cyber security student at TAFE Adelaide, allegedly posed as an employer conducting background checks to illegally obtain the private data and protected educational records of her victims.

Complaints filed against Melissa Williams-Brown with the Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3) and Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN), wire fraud, unauthorised access of protected educational records, unauthorised access of computer networks with intent to defraud, misuse of personal identification information, unlawful stalking and unlawful use of a carriage service (computer network).

Other victims or those with information relating to the investigation are urged to contact the South Australia Police task force assigned to the matter:

Detective Sergeant Jonathon Barber
SAPOL - Southern District Criminal Investigation Branch
4 Dyson Road
Christie Downs SA 5164
Telephone: (08) 8392 9000
Email: jonathon.barber@police.sa.gov.au

International victims notified of  SAPOL cybercrime investigation

Rome Perlman, Assistant General Counsel of National Student Clearinghouse, details how Melissa Williams-Brown allegedly posed as employers conducting background checks in order to obtain protected educational records and private information.